From April 25, France will no longer be able to export cereals outside Europe, including Morocco. This is due to the ban on the insecticide phosphine. This agent is used to protect grain loads against insects.
Many countries, particularly in North Africa, wish to import only cereals treated with phosphine. Without this agent, grain cannot be unloaded at the port. Then they have to go back to France. The French association of wheat and cereal producers fears riots in these countries. She thinks Russia, the world’s largest grain supplier, will take their place.
The ban on phosphine is a decision of the French Food Safety Agency (Anses). This agency claims that phosphine can be harmful to health. It is a gas that can cause neurological or lung problems.
France is the only European country to ban phosphine. Other countries have renewed their authorization for its use. A French MP describes the ban as “absurd”. He says that countries that buy grain from France are asking for phosphine.
France is the largest wheat producer in the EU and has been able to sell most of its export surplus outside the EU. This surplus is estimated at just over 10 million tonnes. Morocco increased its import requirements after a drought-affected harvest. The North African country has therefore become a larger than usual market for EU wheat.
The French government wants to follow the European legislation which authorizes the use of phosphine. A government source says the ban threatens the French grain trade. Cereals represent approximately 10% of French agricultural exports.
In 2021, Morocco bought $321.66 million worth of cereals from France. But Morocco can also buy cereals from Russia or Ukraine. In 2022/23, Morocco needs 10.4 million tons of cereals. This is 35% more than in 2021/22.
Morocco increased its import requirements after a drought-affected harvest. The North African country has therefore become a bigger than usual market for EU wheat, mainly from France.
The phosphine ban has major consequences for France and Morocco and other countries that buy French grain. It is not yet known whether a solution can be found to the next trade crisis.